A close shave on Jim’s cruise

This August, GTO Jim Godsell took 107 members from his Birmingham-based Jim Godsell and Friends Group on a cruise down the west coast of France and north coast of Spain, sailing with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines on Balmoral. Jim writes, “We had a fabulous time and ‘Fred’ met our every need. I ended up with very ‘happy chums’ and not one moan about anything.”

During the cruise, Jim decided to help raise money for the Macmillan Nurse appeal ‘Brave the Shave’ by shaving off his 50-year-old beard! His venture raised over £660 and created masses of fun at a ‘Trust Jim’ private cocktail party.

During the week-long cruise, which included visits to Bilbao, La Rochelle and Santander, Jim also arranged a group photograph. This set the ship’s photographer the challenge of how to get everyone in shot, as he had never had such a big group before. Jim recalls, “Eventually we blocked the main staircase to achieve the photo!”

Jim also comments, “There is often discussion about the value of familiarisation trips; this cruise resulted from a ‘fam trip’ arranged by GTO magazine and resulted in an order for Fred.Olsen for 107 passengers. Fred.Olsen and the groups team headed by Ellie Fulcher and Sophie Austin have won many awards and I now know why! Everything was perfect and the level of service the best – second to none.”

Jim finishes, “I have now’t but praise for Fred. Olsen and hope to recreate another cruise adventure in the future.”